After Years of Service This C-10 Is Ready to Live the Privileged Life

The Matoian family strives for perfection in everything they do, even when it comes to customizing trucks, like this ’68 Chevrolet C-10. Richard Matoian’s family has been busy producing grapes for raisin production since 1928 when they emigrated to the U.S. from Armenia. Richard told us that the family has started growing table grapes to be eaten out of hand. The difference is that the grapes must have no imperfections, which makes sense considering Richard’s drive for creating the best. When he had his C-10 built he wanted to take pride in it, like he does with his beloved crops.

The interesting thing about this truck is that the family originally purchased it to haul a trailer with medium to large tractors around the ranch. It was a CST package complete with 327-cid V-8, four-barrel Rochester carburetor, TH400 trans, power steering and A/C. It had been a workhorse since the day it rolled out of the dealership until recently when Richard noticed that he’d racked up about 147,000 miles and the truck was getting tired. The family stumbled across a replacement truck and was forced to make a decision: keep the C-10 or junk it. Richard adored this truck because it was one of the first vehicles he’d ever driven, so he decided to have it fixed up even better than it was in its glory days.

To get things rolling, Richard and his friend Tom Ellam went to Early Classic Enterprises for suspension parts to drop it down a bit. For the front they got 2-inch drop springs and added 2 ½-inch dropped spindles with a disc brake conversion. They also added a sway bar for stability and a No Limit Engineering steering rack-and-pinion setup for better turning capability. An Early Classic Drop Member cross member rides in the rear and new trailing arms are mounted with 5-inch dropped coil springs. A panhard bar kit and shock relocator kit reside in the rear as well.

The truck started to take shape when Richard decided to take things a step further. He enlisted the help of Richard Ruiz of PPC Customs in Clovis, California, where the frame was shortened and a new short box from LMC Truck was ordered to replace the original long version. Ruiz made a custom flush-mount tonneau cover out of aluminum and hooked it up to a set of actuators to open it. Then the frame was powder-coated satin black, and a set of Chopping Block upper control arms was bolted on for a clean look and better suspension geometry.

We mentioned that this beast was tired, so Richard had it reenergized with a GM crate LS3 V-8 engine with 480 hp. It’s topped with an Eddie Motorsports accessory drive, a 2010 Camaro engine cover and a custom intake tube with a Spectre Performance air filter. On the back end you’ll find Hedman headers and custom-TIG-welded exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. It’s also equipped with a Vintage Air A/C compressor run by an Eddie Motorsports serpentine kit. Behind the  system  there’s  a 4L60 transmission built by All Out Transmission with a TCI shift kit, high-pressure pump and 2,400-stall torque converter. Then the original rearend was equipped with an Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential and Fearless Gear 3:73 ring-and-pinion to help transfer power to the pavement. The entire drivetrain is lubricated with Royal Purple fluids that help reduce friction for maximum performance.

For the body, Richard decided to maintain the original look but shine it up a bit. A few things were shaved on the truck, like the fuel cap, which was on the back of the cab. It was relocated to the bed floor so gas can flow into the No Limit Engineering aluminum tank mounted on the rear of the frame. Other than that the original CST trim was removed and the tailgate handle was relocated. The truck took a trip to Grimeez Custom Paint & Airbrush Studio in Clovis where all of the dings and dents were removed and it was worked completely straight. Then Kurt Grimes laid down the Dupont paint color-matched to GM’s Light Pewter. Over at PPC, the front and rear bumpers were narrowed, tucked, had their bolt heads shaved, and were rechromed along with all of the other trim pieces. Completing the look is a set of 20 x 8 and 20 x 10 American Racing Wheels Torque Thrust IIs with 245/40R20 and 275/40R20 Pirelli rubber.

Inside of the cab things remain in near-original condition. The factory bench seat was reupholstered in gray leather in a tuck-and-roll design. The steering column was replaced with a chrome version from Ididit and a billet wheel. On the dash, the gauges were updated with a VHX set from Dakota Digital and the Vintage Air vents and controls were mounted. The sound system was also updated with a Kenwood head unit and Realm 6.5 and 6 x 9 coax speakers, along with a 10-inch subwoofer, all mounted in custom panels. All together this is one hell of an overhaul on an old work truck. Richard admits he uses this truck mostly on weekend, but he’s definitely proud of its looks and power now. ST

---

RICHARD MATOIAN
1968 Chevrolet C-10
Fresno, CA

TRUCK SPECS

ENGINE

•  480-hp LS3 V-8 with Camaro cover
• Eddie Motorsports accessory drive
• Vintage Air
• Custom exhaust
• Custom intake with Spectre performance filter
• Hedman headers
• Autorad core support and radiator Custom 4L60 transmission
• No Limit Engineering aluminum fuel cell

BODY

• Shaved trim, tailgate handle and fuel cap
• Narrowed, shaved and tucked bumpers
• Custom aluminum tonneau cover with actuators
• Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
• Marquez Designs taillights
• Dupont GM Light Pewter paint

WHEELS

• 20 x 8 and 20 x 10 American Racing Torque Thrust II
• 245/40 and 275/40 Pirelli tires

SUSPENSION

• Early Classic Enterprises springs, drop spindles, trailing arms
• Disc brake conversion
• Short bed frame conversion
• Choppin’ Block upper control arms
• KYB shocks
• Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential
• Fearless Gear 3:73 ring-and-pinion
• No Limit Engineering steering rack-and-pinion

INTERIOR

• Gray leather
• Dakota Digital VHX gauges
• Realm speakers and subwoofer
• Vintage Air
• Ididit steering column
• Billet steering wheel
• Ron Francis wiring

---